Swollen ankles and mysterious bruise: Is Trump hiding a health issue? Doctors raise flags

US President Donald Trump - File Photo

Images of US President Donald Trump at two recent public appearances have reignited speculation around his health, not for the first time, but perhaps more noticeably this time.

Trump, 79, attended the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13. But instead of political commentary, what drew widespread attention was the president’s appearance: visibly swollen ankles and what looked like a bruise on the back of his right hand.

Swollen ankles at the World Cup Bruised hand at today’s press availability. Is the Trump administration hiding the President’s health? Where is @jaketapper? pic.twitter.com/SRo0bpJReK

— Maine (@TheMaineWonk) July 15, 2025

Neither the White House nor Trump’s personal team has issued any clarification so far, but the photos have set off fresh rounds of conjecture across social media platforms, especially as they come just months after a clean bill of health. In April, Trump’s official medical report described him as “fully fit,” with no concerns flagged about his mobility, cardiovascular health, or extremities.

Swollen ankles could Be warning sign, say doctors

Commenting on the photos, Dr Jeff Foster, Medical Director at UK-based clinic Manual, told Reach PLC that the swelling could point to anything from mild to serious medical issues.

“Ankle swelling can be due to a range of factors: anything from standing up for too long in the hot weather, to heart or liver problems,” said Foster.

But he also issued a more serious caution: “The big one we worry about is heart failure, which is a condition where the heart cannot pump the blood around the body fast enough, which results in fluid pooling in the feet and ankles.”

Foster clarified that while some mild swelling in hot weather can be normal, significant swelling, especially in a person whose health is said to be otherwise strong, warrants a closer look. “We don’t usually see any significant ankle swelling in anyone who is fit and well and this would beg the question as to whether there is something more significant health-wise going on,” he said.

Dr Mahesh Agarwal, an interventional cardiologist at Manipal Hospital in Bhubaneswar, echoed similar concerns in a statement to Times Now.

“The body often sends out early distress signals, and ignoring them could delay crucial diagnoses. Symptoms like swollen ankles, unexplained bruises, or a persistent limp may appear minor, but they could be the body’s way of signalling something more serious beneath the surface,” he said.

The topic exploded after front-facing photos from the World Cup final surfaced online. Many users pointed out not just the swollen ankles but also Trump’s slouched posture and what appeared to be laboured movement.

“Swollen ankles at the World Cup. Bruised hand at today’s press availability. Is the Trump administration hiding the President’s health?” one user posted on X. Another added, “He walks slumped over and sits in a way that looks like he is compensating for some breathing difficulty.”

Bruising blamed on handshaking, but doctors sceptical

In addition to the ankle swelling, attention has also turned to a recurring bruise on the back of Trump’s right hand — visible again during a recent press event and previously spotted while boarding Marine One for a trip to Pittsburgh. Observers noted he appeared to be wearing concealer to cover the mark.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking to The Daily Beast, said the bruising was simply from frequent handshakes: “President Trump is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history.”

She had offered a similar explanation just a month earlier.

But some medical experts are not convinced.

Dr Neal H Patel, a physician at Providence St. Joseph Hospital, told the Daily Mail earlier this year that it’s unlikely repeated handshaking would cause such bruising.

“I see a lot of patients who are businessmen, and I’ve never really seen them getting bruising from too much handshaking,” said Patel. “I guess it’s possible, but that would really not be on my list of ideas of what causes it.”

Instead, he speculated it could result from IV needle insertion, or age-related fragility. Other doctors have pointed to possibilities like osteoporosis, blood thinners, or circulatory issues.

Dr Agarwal also warned that bruises appearing without trauma shouldn’t be ignored. “They may indicate issues with blood clotting or platelet disorders or even be a side effect of certain medications like blood thinners or steroids,” he said. “In rare cases, frequent bruising could be linked to liver disease, leukaemia, or vitamin deficiencies (especially C and K).”